St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh

Midweek Devotion 20th April 2023

Led by Rev Douglas A O Nicol

The Psalmist wrote: ‘I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth’. (Psalm 34: 1)

Let us worship God.

Scripture Reading

The Gospel of St. John, chapter 3, verses 31 to 36:

Jesus said: ‘The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath.’

Reflection

Just before these verses we can read in John’s Gospel of the time when Jesus’ ministry overlaps that of John the Baptist … with Jesus drawing bigger crowds. John’s reaction, which goes very much against the human grain, is absolutely right. He shows no trace of bitterness or jealousy to sour his gladness at Jesus’ God-given success.

Bible commentators suggest that the Gospel verses we have read today may have been either John the Baptist’s words or a comment from the Gospel writer himself.

Whoever penned them, they are a strong affirmation of the central place of Jesus in God’s eternal plan.

The hymn writers, Matthew Bridges and Godfrey Thring, express Jesus’ place in eternity in this way:

Crown him with many crowns,

the Lamb upon his throne;

Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns

all music but its own.

Awake, my soul, and sing

of him who died for thee,

and hail him as thy matchless King

through all eternity.

Prayer

Let us pray:

Almighty God, we give you thanks

for this life and all its blessings,

for joys great and simple.

for gifts and powers more than we deserve,

for love at the heart of your purpose

and surpassing wisdom in all your works,

for light in the world

brought once through Jesus Christ

and shining ever through his Spirit.

We pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord,

for that light to dawn upon us daily,

that we may always have a grateful heart,

and a will to love and serve you

to the end of our days.

Lord, hear our prayers and our praises:

Alleluia, we bless you, O God.

Prayers for the World:

Give, we pray, loving God, the nations of the world the courage and the wisdom to stand up for justice, and the courage too to dare to care – generously.

Take from us all the tendencies in us that seek to lord it over others:

take from us those traits that see us pursuing our own needs and wants before those of others:

teach us all the way to live in peace and dignity and respect – following your example of love.

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Personal Prayers:

We commend to You now, our Father God, those for whom we have a special concern,

whose names and places are in our hearts and minds,

may they know your peace and love,

and spend their years in fulfilment and hope,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father, which art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever,

Amen.

Benediction

The guarding of the God of life be on you,

the guarding of the loving Christ be on you,

the guarding of the Holy Spirit be on you

to aid you and enfold you

each day and night of your lives.

Amen.

Organ Music

Felix Mendelssohn Prelude in G